List of most massive black holes

This is an ordered list of the most massive black holes so far discovered (and probable candidates), measured in units of solar masses (M☉), approximately 2×1030 kilograms.

Tables

List of most massive black holes · List

(Maximal Theoretical Limit)

Host or black hole name

(Maximal Theoretical Limit)

Mass (M☉)

2 ×1011

Notes

The limit is only 5×1010 M☉ for black holes with typical properties, but can reach 2 ×1011 M☉ at maximal prograde spin (a = 1).

Phoenix A

Host or black hole name

Phoenix A

Mass (M☉)

1×1011, ~1 ×1010

Notes

Estimated using a calorimetric model on the adiabatic behavior of core regrowth and an assumed core-Sérsic model of n=4. It is consistent with evolutionary modelling of gas accretion and the dynamics and density profiles of the galaxy. Mass has not been measured directly. Another recent estimate gives ~1 ×1010 M☉, though this is still uncertain d

IC 1101

Host or black hole name

IC 1101

Mass (M☉)

9 +17 −6 × 1010

Notes

Estimated from the break radius of the central core; previous estimations using properties of the host galaxy (Faber–Jackson relation) yield about (4–10)×1010 M☉

4C +74

Host or black hole name

4C +74

Mass (M☉)

5 +9 −3 ×1010

Notes

Produced a colossal AGN outburst after accreting 600 million M☉ worth of material. Estimated using the break radius of 0 kpc core of the central galaxy. Previous indirect assumptions about the efficiencies of gas accretion and jet power yield a lower limit of 1 billion M☉.

(Typical Theoretical Limit)

Host or black hole name

(Typical Theoretical Limit)

Mass (M☉)

5×1010

Notes

This is the maximum mass of a black hole with typical properties that models predict, at least for luminous accreting SMBHs. At around 1010 M☉, effects of both intense radiation and star formation in the accretion disc slow down black hole growth. Given the age of the universe and the composition of available matter, there is simply not enough time

TON 618

Host or black hole name

TON 618

Mass (M☉)

4 ×1010

Notes

Estimated from quasar C IV line correlation. An older estimate gives a mass of 6 ×1010M☉ based on the quasar Hβ emission line correlation.

SDSS 143148 +053558

Host or black hole name

SDSS 143148 +053558

Mass (M☉)

3 ×1010

SDSS J114833 +193003

Host or black hole name

SDSS J114833 +193003

Mass (M☉)

3 +0 −0 ×1010

NGC 3842

Host or black hole name

NGC 3842

Mass (M☉)

3 +6 −2 ×1010

Notes

Brightest galaxy in the Leo Cluster; estimation using break radius. Previous estimates yield at least 9 billion M☉.

SMSS J215728

Host or black hole name

SMSS J215728

Mass (M☉)

3 ±0 × 1010

Notes

Estimated using near-infrared spectroscopic measurements of the MgII emission line doublet.

SDSS J102325 +514251

Host or black hole name

SDSS J102325 +514251

Mass (M☉)

3 +0 −0 ×1010

Notes

Estimated from quasar MgII emission line correlation.

Abell 1201 BCG

Host or black hole name

Abell 1201 BCG

Mass (M☉)

3 ±0 × 1010

Notes

Estimated using strong gravitational lensing from a distant galaxy 1 arcseconds separated from the nucleus of the BCG. Earlier estimates suggest a mass of 1 ×1010 M☉. Beware of ambiguity between the BH mass determination and the galaxy cluster's dark matter profile.

H1821+643

Host or black hole name

H1821+643

Mass (M☉)

3×1010

Notes

Value obtained as an indirect estimate using a model of minimum Eddington luminosity required to account for the Compton cooling of the surrounding cluster.

NGC 6166

Host or black hole name

NGC 6166

Mass (M☉)

2 +0 −0 ×1010

Notes

Central galaxy of Abell 2199; notable for its hundred thousand light year long relativistic jet.

4C +37

Host or black hole name

4C +37

Mass (M☉)

2 +0 −0 ×1010

Notes

Total mass of black hole binary system.

ESO 383-76

Host or black hole name

ESO 383-76

Mass (M☉)

2 +4 −1 ×1010

Notes

Estimated using break radius of the galaxy central core.

2MASS J13260399+7023462

Host or black hole name

2MASS J13260399+7023462

Mass (M☉)

2 ±0 × 1010

Notes

Estimated using the full-width half maxima of the CIV emission line and monochromatic luminosity at 1350 Å wavelength.

ESO 444-46

Host or black hole name

ESO 444-46

Mass (M☉)

2 ×1010(5 ×108–7 ×1010)

Notes

Brightest cluster galaxy of Abell 3558 in the center of the Shapley Supercluster; estimated using break radius of the host galaxy.

UGC 10143

Host or black hole name

UGC 10143

Mass (M☉)

2 ×1010

Notes

Brightest cluster galaxy of Abell 2147, estimated using core-break radius.

APM 08279+5255

Host or black hole name

APM 08279+5255

Mass (M☉)

2 ×1010, 1 +0 −0 ×1010

Notes

Based on velocity width of CO line from orbiting molecular gas, and reverberation mapping using SiIV and CIV emission lines.

Holmberg 15A

Host or black hole name

Holmberg 15A

Mass (M☉)

2 +0 −0 × 1010

Notes

Mass based on the orbital motion of stars around the SMBH. Earlier estimates range from ~310 billion M☉ down to 3 billion M☉, all relying on empirical scaling relations and are thus obtained from extrapolation and not from kinematical measurements.

NGC 4889

Host or black hole name

NGC 4889

Mass (M☉)

2 ±1 × 1010

Notes

Best fit: the estimate ranges from 6 billion to 37 billion M☉.

SDSS J074521 +734336

Host or black hole name

SDSS J074521 +734336

Mass (M☉)

1 ±0 × 1010

Notes

Estimated from quasar MgII emission line correlation.

OJ 287 primary

Host or black hole name

OJ 287 primary

Mass (M☉)

1 ×1010

Notes

A smaller 100 million M☉ black hole orbits this one in a 12-year period (see below).

NGC 1600

Host or black hole name

NGC 1600

Mass (M☉)

1 ±0 × 1010

Notes

Unprecedentedly massive in relation of its location: an elliptical galaxy host in a sparse environment.

SDSS J010013 +280225

Host or black hole name

SDSS J010013 +280225

Mass (M☉)

5 ×109 – 1 ×1010

SDSS J08019 +373047

Host or black hole name

SDSS J08019 +373047

Mass (M☉)

(1 ±0 )×1010

Notes

Estimated from quasar MgII emission line correlation.

SDSS J115954 +201921

Host or black hole name

SDSS J115954 +201921

Mass (M☉)

(1 ±0 )×1010

Notes

Estimated from quasar MgII emission line correlation.

SDSS J075303 +423130

Host or black hole name

SDSS J075303 +423130

Mass (M☉)

(1 ±0 )×1010

Notes

Estimated from quasar Hβ emission line correlation.

SDSS J080430 +542041

Host or black hole name

SDSS J080430 +542041

Mass (M☉)

(1 ±0 )×1010

Notes

Estimated from quasar MgII emission line correlation.

SDSS J081855 +095848

Host or black hole name

SDSS J081855 +095848

Mass (M☉)

(1 ±0 )×1010

Notes

Estimated from quasar MgII emission line correlation.

NGC 1270

Host or black hole name

NGC 1270

Mass (M☉)

1 ×1010

Notes

Elliptical galaxy located in the Perseus Cluster. Also is a low-luminosity AGN (LLAGN).

SDSS J082535 +512706

Host or black hole name

SDSS J082535 +512706

Mass (M☉)

(1 ±0 )×1010

Notes

Estimated from quasar Hβ emission line

S5 0014+81

Host or black hole name

S5 0014+81

Mass (M☉)

(1 –1 )×1010

Notes

A 2010 paper suggested that a funnel collimates the radiation around the jet axis, creating an optical illusion of very high brightness, and thus a possible overestimed mass of 40 billion M☉.

SDSS J013127

Host or black hole name

SDSS J013127

Mass (M☉)

(1 ±0 )×1010

Notes

Estimated from accretion disk spectrum modelling.

ICRF J131043

Host or black hole name

ICRF J131043

Mass (M☉)

1 +0 −0 ×1010

Notes

Estimated from MgII emission line correlation.

PSO J334 +01

Host or black hole name

PSO J334 +01

Mass (M☉)

1×1010

Notes

There are actually two black holes, orbiting at each other in a close pair with a 542-day period. The largest one is quoted, while the smaller one's mass is not defined.

RX J1532 +3021

Host or black hole name

RX J1532 +3021

Mass (M☉)

1×1010

QSO B2126-158

Host or black hole name

QSO B2126-158

Mass (M☉)

1×1010–4 +1 −1 ×1010

Notes

Higher value estimated with quasar Hβ emission line correlation.

NGC 1281

Host or black hole name

NGC 1281

Mass (M☉)

1×1010

Notes

Compact elliptical galaxy in the Perseus Cluster. Mass estimates range from 10 billion M☉ down to <5 billion M☉.

SDSS J015741

Host or black hole name

SDSS J015741

Mass (M☉)

(9 ±1 )×109

SDSS J230301

Host or black hole name

SDSS J230301

Mass (M☉)

(9 ±0 )×109

Notes

Estimated from quasar MgII emission line correlation.

SDSS J140821 +025733

Host or black hole name

SDSS J140821 +025733

Mass (M☉)

8×109

Notes

This black hole was initially reported to have a mass of 1 ×1011 M☉, which would make it the most massive known black hole. It turned out this mass estimated was affected by an incorrect measurement of its C IV width in the DR12Q catalog, amplified by a correction method that exacerbated the mass overestimate. The black hole's mass is now thought

SDSS J075819 +202300

Host or black hole name

SDSS J075819 +202300

Mass (M☉)

(7 ±3 )×109

Notes

Estimated from quasar Hβ emission line correlation.

CID-947

Host or black hole name

CID-947

Mass (M☉)

6 +0 −1 ×109

Notes

Constitutes 10% of the total mass of its host galaxy. Estimated from quasar Hβ emission line correlation.

SDSS J080956 +502000

Host or black hole name

SDSS J080956 +502000

Mass (M☉)

(6 ±0 )×109

Notes

Estimated from quasar Hβ emission line correlation.

SDSS J014214 +002324

Host or black hole name

SDSS J014214 +002324

Mass (M☉)

(6 ±1 )×109

Notes

Estimated from quasar MgII emission line correlation.

Messier 87

Host or black hole name

Messier 87

Mass (M☉)

7 +0 −0 ×109 6 ×109

Notes

Central galaxy of the Virgo Cluster; the first black hole directly imaged.

NGC 5419

Host or black hole name

NGC 5419

Mass (M☉)

7 +2 −1 ×109

Notes

Estimated from the stellar velocity distribution. A secondary satellite SMBH may orbit around 70 parsecs.

SDSS J025905 +001121

Host or black hole name

SDSS J025905 +001121

Mass (M☉)

(5 ±0 )×109

Notes

Estimated from quasar Hβ emission line correlation.

SDSS J094202 +042244

Host or black hole name

SDSS J094202 +042244

Mass (M☉)

(5 ±0 )×109

Notes

Estimated from quasar Hβ emission line correlation.

QSO B0746+254

Host or black hole name

QSO B0746+254

Mass (M☉)

5×109

QSO B2149-306

Host or black hole name

QSO B2149-306

Mass (M☉)

5×109

SDSS J090033 +421547

Host or black hole name

SDSS J090033 +421547

Mass (M☉)

(4 ±0 )×109

Notes

Estimated from quasar MgII emission line correlation.

Messier 60

Host or black hole name

Messier 60

Mass (M☉)

(4 ±1 )×109

SDSS J011521 +152453

Host or black hole name

SDSS J011521 +152453

Mass (M☉)

(4 ±2 )×109

Notes

Estimated from quasar Hβ emission line correlation.

QSO B0222+185

Host or black hole name

QSO B0222+185

Mass (M☉)

4×109

Hercules A (3C 348)

Host or black hole name

Hercules A (3C 348)

Mass (M☉)

4×109

Notes

Notable for its million light-year long relativistic jet.

SDSS J075403 +481428

Host or black hole name

SDSS J075403 +481428

Mass (M☉)

3 ×109

SDSS J150752 +133844

Host or black hole name

SDSS J150752 +133844

Mass (M☉)

3 ×109

Abell 1836-BCG

Host or black hole name

Abell 1836-BCG

Mass (M☉)

3 +0 −0 ×109

SDSS J213023 +122252

Host or black hole name

SDSS J213023 +122252

Mass (M☉)

(3 ±0 )×109

Notes

Estimated from quasar Hβ emission line correlation.

SDSS J173352 +540030

Host or black hole name

SDSS J173352 +540030

Mass (M☉)

(3 ±0 )×109

Notes

Estimated from quasar MgII emission line correlation.

WISE J104222 +164115

Host or black hole name

WISE J104222 +164115

Mass (M☉)

3 ×109

Notes

Estimated from quasar Hα line correlation. Another paper suggests much higher masses of (8 ±0 )×1010 M☉ and 8 +2 −1 ×1010 M☉ based on Hα and Hβ line correlations, however, this is likely inaccurate due to the model not taking into account the reddening of the AGN.

SDSS J025021

Host or black hole name

SDSS J025021

Mass (M☉)

(3 ±0 )×109

Notes

Estimated from quasar MgII emission line correlation.

NGC 1271

Host or black hole name

NGC 1271

Mass (M☉)

3 +1 −1 ×109

Notes

Compact elliptical or lenticular galaxy in the Perseus Cluster.

SDSS J030341

Host or black hole name

SDSS J030341

Mass (M☉)

(3 ±0 )×109

Notes

Estimated from quasar MgII emission line correlation.

QSO B0836+710

Host or black hole name

QSO B0836+710

Mass (M☉)

3×109

SDSS J162752 +541912

Host or black hole name

SDSS J162752 +541912

Mass (M☉)

2 ×109

SDSS J224956 +000218

Host or black hole name

SDSS J224956 +000218

Mass (M☉)

(2 ±1 )×109

Notes

Estimated from quasar Hβ emission line correlation.

SDSS J030449

Host or black hole name

SDSS J030449

Mass (M☉)

(2 ±0 )×109

Notes

Estimated from quasar Hβ emission line correlation.

SDSS J234625

Host or black hole name

SDSS J234625

Mass (M☉)

(2 ±0 )×109

Notes

Estimated from quasar Hβ emission line correlation.

ULAS J1120+0641

Host or black hole name

ULAS J1120+0641

Mass (M☉)

2×109

QSO 0537-286

Host or black hole name

QSO 0537-286

Mass (M☉)

2×109

NGC 3115

Host or black hole name

NGC 3115

Mass (M☉)

2×109

Q0906+6930

Host or black hole name

Q0906+6930

Mass (M☉)

2×109

Notes

Most distant blazar, at z = 5

SDSS J025231 +034112

Host or black hole name

SDSS J025231 +034112

Mass (M☉)

1 ×109

QSO B0805+614

Host or black hole name

QSO B0805+614

Mass (M☉)

1 ×109

Messier 84

Host or black hole name

Messier 84

Mass (M☉)

1 ×109

Host or black hole name	Mass (M☉)	Notes
(Maximal Theoretical Limit)	2 ×1011	The limit is only 5×1010 M☉ for black holes with typical properties, but can reach 2 ×1011 M☉ at maximal prograde spin (a = 1).
Phoenix A	1×1011, ~1 ×1010	Estimated using a calorimetric model on the adiabatic behavior of core regrowth and an assumed core-Sérsic model of n=4. It is consistent with evolutionary modelling of gas accretion and the dynamics and density profiles of the galaxy. Mass has not been measured directly. Another recent estimate gives ~1 ×1010 M☉, though this is still uncertain d
IC 1101	9 +17 −6 × 1010	Estimated from the break radius of the central core; previous estimations using properties of the host galaxy (Faber–Jackson relation) yield about (4–10)×1010 M☉
4C +74	5 +9 −3 ×1010	Produced a colossal AGN outburst after accreting 600 million M☉ worth of material. Estimated using the break radius of 0 kpc core of the central galaxy. Previous indirect assumptions about the efficiencies of gas accretion and jet power yield a lower limit of 1 billion M☉.
(Typical Theoretical Limit)	5×1010	This is the maximum mass of a black hole with typical properties that models predict, at least for luminous accreting SMBHs. At around 1010 M☉, effects of both intense radiation and star formation in the accretion disc slow down black hole growth. Given the age of the universe and the composition of available matter, there is simply not enough time
TON 618	4 ×1010	Estimated from quasar C IV line correlation. An older estimate gives a mass of 6 ×1010M☉ based on the quasar Hβ emission line correlation.
SDSS 143148 +053558	3 ×1010
SDSS J114833 +193003	3 +0 −0 ×1010
NGC 3842	3 +6 −2 ×1010	Brightest galaxy in the Leo Cluster; estimation using break radius. Previous estimates yield at least 9 billion M☉.
SMSS J215728	3 ±0 × 1010	Estimated using near-infrared spectroscopic measurements of the MgII emission line doublet.
SDSS J102325 +514251	3 +0 −0 ×1010	Estimated from quasar MgII emission line correlation.
Abell 1201 BCG	3 ±0 × 1010	Estimated using strong gravitational lensing from a distant galaxy 1 arcseconds separated from the nucleus of the BCG. Earlier estimates suggest a mass of 1 ×1010 M☉. Beware of ambiguity between the BH mass determination and the galaxy cluster's dark matter profile.
H1821+643	3×1010	Value obtained as an indirect estimate using a model of minimum Eddington luminosity required to account for the Compton cooling of the surrounding cluster.
NGC 6166	2 +0 −0 ×1010	Central galaxy of Abell 2199; notable for its hundred thousand light year long relativistic jet.
4C +37	2 +0 −0 ×1010	Total mass of black hole binary system.
ESO 383-76	2 +4 −1 ×1010	Estimated using break radius of the galaxy central core.
2MASS J13260399+7023462	2 ±0 × 1010	Estimated using the full-width half maxima of the CIV emission line and monochromatic luminosity at 1350 Å wavelength.
ESO 444-46	2 ×1010(5 ×108–7 ×1010)	Brightest cluster galaxy of Abell 3558 in the center of the Shapley Supercluster; estimated using break radius of the host galaxy.
UGC 10143	2 ×1010	Brightest cluster galaxy of Abell 2147, estimated using core-break radius.
APM 08279+5255	2 ×1010, 1 +0 −0 ×1010	Based on velocity width of CO line from orbiting molecular gas, and reverberation mapping using SiIV and CIV emission lines.
Holmberg 15A	2 +0 −0 × 1010	Mass based on the orbital motion of stars around the SMBH. Earlier estimates range from ~310 billion M☉ down to 3 billion M☉, all relying on empirical scaling relations and are thus obtained from extrapolation and not from kinematical measurements.
NGC 4889	2 ±1 × 1010	Best fit: the estimate ranges from 6 billion to 37 billion M☉.
SDSS J074521 +734336	1 ±0 × 1010	Estimated from quasar MgII emission line correlation.
OJ 287 primary	1 ×1010	A smaller 100 million M☉ black hole orbits this one in a 12-year period (see below).
NGC 1600	1 ±0 × 1010	Unprecedentedly massive in relation of its location: an elliptical galaxy host in a sparse environment.
SDSS J010013 +280225	5 ×109 – 1 ×1010
SDSS J08019 +373047	(1 ±0 )×1010	Estimated from quasar MgII emission line correlation.
SDSS J115954 +201921	(1 ±0 )×1010	Estimated from quasar MgII emission line correlation.
SDSS J075303 +423130	(1 ±0 )×1010	Estimated from quasar Hβ emission line correlation.
SDSS J080430 +542041	(1 ±0 )×1010	Estimated from quasar MgII emission line correlation.
SDSS J081855 +095848	(1 ±0 )×1010	Estimated from quasar MgII emission line correlation.
NGC 1270	1 ×1010	Elliptical galaxy located in the Perseus Cluster. Also is a low-luminosity AGN (LLAGN).
SDSS J082535 +512706	(1 ±0 )×1010	Estimated from quasar Hβ emission line
S5 0014+81	(1 –1 )×1010	A 2010 paper suggested that a funnel collimates the radiation around the jet axis, creating an optical illusion of very high brightness, and thus a possible overestimed mass of 40 billion M☉.
SDSS J013127	(1 ±0 )×1010	Estimated from accretion disk spectrum modelling.
ICRF J131043	1 +0 −0 ×1010	Estimated from MgII emission line correlation.
PSO J334 +01	1×1010	There are actually two black holes, orbiting at each other in a close pair with a 542-day period. The largest one is quoted, while the smaller one's mass is not defined.
RX J1532 +3021	1×1010
QSO B2126-158	1×1010–4 +1 −1 ×1010	Higher value estimated with quasar Hβ emission line correlation.
NGC 1281	1×1010	Compact elliptical galaxy in the Perseus Cluster. Mass estimates range from 10 billion M☉ down to <5 billion M☉.
SDSS J015741	(9 ±1 )×109
SDSS J230301	(9 ±0 )×109	Estimated from quasar MgII emission line correlation.
SDSS J140821 +025733	8×109	This black hole was initially reported to have a mass of 1 ×1011 M☉, which would make it the most massive known black hole. It turned out this mass estimated was affected by an incorrect measurement of its C IV width in the DR12Q catalog, amplified by a correction method that exacerbated the mass overestimate. The black hole's mass is now thought
SDSS J075819 +202300	(7 ±3 )×109	Estimated from quasar Hβ emission line correlation.
CID-947	6 +0 −1 ×109	Constitutes 10% of the total mass of its host galaxy. Estimated from quasar Hβ emission line correlation.
SDSS J080956 +502000	(6 ±0 )×109	Estimated from quasar Hβ emission line correlation.
SDSS J014214 +002324	(6 ±1 )×109	Estimated from quasar MgII emission line correlation.
Messier 87	7 +0 −0 ×109 6 ×109	Central galaxy of the Virgo Cluster; the first black hole directly imaged.
NGC 5419	7 +2 −1 ×109	Estimated from the stellar velocity distribution. A secondary satellite SMBH may orbit around 70 parsecs.